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Line 1: − A complex bat and ball game, played between two teams of eleven. At international level, it exists primarily in two forms: Test cricket (played over five days) and one-day cricket (a shortened form of the game, with each team batting one innings of up to 50 overs). Despite a low profile in the USA, on a glabal scale cricket is only surpassed by [[soccer]] in terms of popularity.+ + + − − − − − − − − − Line 33:
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Summarised cricket-playing nations, village cricket. Tidied
'''Cricket''' is a complex bat and ball game, played between two teams of eleven. At international level, it exists primarily in two forms: Test cricket (played over five days) and one-day cricket (a shortened form of the game, with each team batting one innings of up to 50 overs).
Cricket is also played at provincial and county levels, and traditional matches between village and [[public house]] teams are still played in summer on the [[village green]]s of [[England]].
Despite a low profile in the USA, where the complexities of the game render its widespread appreciation unfeasible, on a global scale cricket is only surpassed by [[soccer]] in terms of popularity; it is the primary spectator sport in [[India]], [[Pakistan]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Sri Lanka]] and the [[West Indies]] and of major importance in England, [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]] and [[South Africa]], and in many other places where the British have brought the benefits of civilisation to the world.
== Test cricket - a simple overview ==
== Test cricket - a simple overview ==
The game begins with the toss of a coin between the two captains. The winning captain then elects to bat or field.
The game begins with the toss of a coin between the two captains. The winning captain then elects to bat or field.
The size of the field of play varies widely between cricket grounds, but the '''''pitch''''' in the centre is always 22 yards long and 10 feet wide. At either end of this pitch are two sets of '''''wickets''''', consisting of three wooden posts ('''''stumps''''') upon which rest two wooden '''''bails'''''. Around the edge of the field of play lies the '''''boundary rope'''''.
The size of the field of play varies widely between cricket grounds, but the '''''pitch''''' in the centre is always 22 yards long and 10 feet wide. At either end of this pitch are two sets of '''''wickets''''', consisting of three wooden posts ('''''stumps''''') upon which rest two wooden '''''bails'''''. Around the edge of the field of play lies the '''''boundary rope'''''.
Two batsmen (the '''''openers''''') take to the field accompanied by the entire fielding side and two umpires. The batsman who is to receive the first ball is '''''on strike''''' and takes guard in front of his wicket. His '''''non-striking''''' partner waits at the other end of the pitch.
Two batsmen (the '''''openers''''') take to the field accompanied by the entire fielding side and two umpires. The batsman who is to receive the first ball is '''''on strike''''' and takes guard in front of his wicket. His '''''non-striking''''' partner waits at the other end of the pitch.
The fielding side nominates a bowler who has six balls (six balls = one '''''over''''') with which to dismiss the batsman. Bowlers must bowl overarm and may not bowl consecutive overs. A day's play consists of 90 overs (540 balls), usually divided into three 2 hour sessions with breaks for lunch and tea.
The fielding side nominates a bowler who has six balls (six balls = one '''''over''''') with which to dismiss the batsman. Bowlers must bowl overarm and may not bowl consecutive overs. A day's play consists of 90 overs (540 balls), usually divided into three 2 hour sessions with breaks for lunch and tea.
The batsman’s aim is to score '''''runs''''' whilst protecting his wicket. Generally speaking, in order to score a run, he must first hit the ball. He and his partner must then decide whether or not they can run to each other’s end of the pitch before the fielding side have time to break either wicket with the ball. They may run as many times as they are able per hit and the ''on strike'' batsman scores one run for his team each time they do so.
The batsman’s aim is to score '''''runs''''' whilst protecting his wicket. Generally speaking, in order to score a run, he must first hit the ball. He and his partner must then decide whether or not they can run to each other’s end of the pitch before the fielding side have time to break either wicket with the ball. They may run as many times as they are able per hit and the ''on strike'' batsman scores one run for his team each time they do so.
If the ball reaches the boundary rope, the batsman automatically scores four runs. If it clears the rope without first touching the ground, he scores six runs.
If the ball reaches the boundary rope, the batsman automatically scores four runs. If it clears the rope without first touching the ground, he scores six runs.
A batsman can be dismissed ('''''given out''''') in a number of different ways. The most common are:
A batsman can be dismissed ('''''given out''''') in a number of different ways. The most common are:
* '''Bowled''' – the ball hits the wicket and removes the bails direct from the bowler’s delivery.
* '''Bowled''' – the ball hits the wicket and removes the bails direct from the bowler’s delivery.
* '''Run out''' – see below.
* '''Run out''' – see below.
* '''Stumped''' – see below.
* '''Stumped''' – see below.
The batting side must always have two batsmen operating in partnership. Thus, although they have eleven players, once ten wickets have fallen they are '''''all out''''' and their '''''innings''''' is over. The batting and fielding sides then swap roles and this cycle is repeated so that both teams have two opportunities to bat.
The batting side must always have two batsmen operating in partnership. Thus, although they have eleven players, once ten wickets have fallen they are '''''all out''''' and their '''''innings''''' is over. The batting and fielding sides then swap roles and this cycle is repeated so that both teams have two opportunities to bat.
In order to win, a team must dismiss the opposition twice (i.e. take 20 wickets) and have scored more runs within the five days. A match is drawn if either team fails to dismiss the other twice, irrespective of how many runs may have been scored.
In order to win, a team must dismiss the opposition twice (i.e. take 20 wickets) and have scored more runs within the five days. A match is drawn if either team fails to dismiss the other twice, irrespective of how many runs may have been scored.
== '''Scoring''' ==
== '''Scoring''' ==
The scoring of matches, and especially the way results are presented, can sometimes be confusing. As an example, let us imagine that, at the end of the first day’s play, Sri Lanka have scored 286 runs and have lost 5 wickets. This would be written as '''286-5'''.
The scoring of matches, and especially the way results are presented, can sometimes be confusing. As an example, let us imagine that, at the end of the first day’s play, Sri Lanka have scored 286 runs and have lost 5 wickets. This would be written as '''286-5'''.
Playing Australia, the match pans out as follows:
Playing Australia, the match pans out as follows:
* Sri Lanka – 1st innings: 431
* Sri Lanka – 1st innings: 431
* Sri Lanka – 2nd innings: 307
* Sri Lanka – 2nd innings: 307
Australia now need 402 runs to win. At the end of the 4th day, they find themselves 100-8 in their 2nd innings. Thus, they require 209 more runs to win on the final day with 2 wickets in hand.
Australia now need 402 runs to win. At the end of the 4th day, they find themselves 100-8 in their 2nd innings. Thus, they require 209 more runs to win on the final day with 2 wickets in hand.
If Pakistan are bowled out for a 2nd innings total of 102, then they would have fallen short by 66. India would be said to have '''won by 400 runs'''.
If Pakistan are bowled out for a 2nd innings total of 102, then they would have fallen short by 66. India would be said to have '''won by 400 runs'''.
If, however, Pakistan reached their target only having lost another three wickets (402-6), they would be said to have '''won by 4 wickets'''.
[[category:Sports]]
[[category:sports]]